Giants bobbleheads for all, not just some, in 2013

Twice as many heads will be bobbing in joy next year instead of hanging low while waiting in long lines outside AT&T Park.

The Giants will give away bobbleheads to just about everyone who attends the popular giveaway days in 2013, the team said Thursday. In the past, the top-heavy figurines were handed out only to the first 20,000 fans who passed through the turnstiles, roughly half the number who filled the ballpark for every game. Next season, the handout total will be 40,000.

“There’s such a strong demand,” said team spokeswoman Staci Slaughter. “Hopefully, this’ll cut down on the long waits.”

Ah yes, the waits. The lines outside the gates for bobblehead games have always formed early, and they’ve been really long. In theory, handing out bobbleheads to virtually every fan will eliminate the need to arrive at the ballpark hours before the first pitch.

The first bobblehead day is April 6, honoring National League MVP Buster Posey. On May 26 it’s Barry Zito, and Ryan Vogelsong gets his day June 22.

There are other giveaway games, but not everyone will get a Tim Lincecum gnome (Aug. 25, first 30,000 fans), Angel Pagan knit beanie (July 27, first 20,000) or Giants orange sombrero (Sept. 7, first 20,000).

Either the beanie or sombrero should be a fine complement to the World Championship replica ring that 40,000 fans will receive April 7.